Means for coloring flame and process of making the same



Oct. 23, 1934. c. H. OHLWILER 1,977,390

MEANS FOR COLORING FLAME AND PROCESS OF MAKINO' THE SAME O I Filed Dec. 21, 1951 ''igJI. 7

. j V I I O A mw% Patented Oct. 23, 1934 MEANS FOR COLORING FLAME AND PROG- ESS OF MAKING THE SAME Clarence H. flhlwiler, Southbridg e, Mass. Application December 21, 1931, Serial No. 582308 5 Claims. I

This invention relates to improvements 'in means for coloring flame, and has particular reference to an improved means for coloring flame in a fireplace or other combustion chamber, and to an improved process for making the same. 7

A principal object of this invention'is to provide such coloring means that will give an increased volume of color to the flame for a given size of the coloring means over a longerperiod than that obtained with present coloring means.v

Another object of the invention is to provide a base for the reception of the coloring material that will receive more of said material per unit of size than the bases now in use. V

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved process for preparing and treating the base.

Another object of the invention is to providean improved base for the coloring material which may be more readily separated into desired sizes than can be done with the present bases.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved base for the coloring material that can be impregnated with the said coloring material in a much shorter lengthof time than can be done with present bases.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved base for the coloring material that can be made of scrap or waste material at a great reduction in cost of production over present methods.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved process of 'making the base for the coloring material whereby a much. harderbase and a more heat resisting base can be utilized than the present day bases,

Other objects andadvantages of the invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specifications taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and it will be understood that any modifications or departures may be made from the specific features disclosed within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention, a preferred form only of the device and of the process being given of Figure III showing the tank in cross section. Prior to my invention it has been the practice to make the base for the coloring material with its length substantially parallel with the long grain a of the material from whichthe basewas made.

I have found however-that in the process of impregnation the coloring materialenters the material of the basemore readily in the direction of the grain so that a base having surfaces exposcolor to the flame while it is burning than will a H base of smaller. exposed end grain. one of the principal objects of my inventionto provide a base having the maximum amount of exposed end grain to obtain these advantages over the prior art bases.

Referring. specifically to the drawing wherein a similar. reference characters are used to denote corresponding parts throughout: I prepare a base member or block 1 as shown in Figure I wherein the exposed end grain of the material is a maximum for the dimensionsof the base or block as indicated on the surface 2 of block 1. It will be apparent that the shorter the thickness, as represented by the numeral 3 and with the end grain disposed as in Figure I, the more rapidly the block or. base'can be impregnated because of the shorter distance required to be impregnated, and the more readily the base can be separated into smaller pieces or segments. It will be particularly noted by further reference to Fig. I .that the grain of the block 1,v indicated by the grain lines 10 extend from the bottom line 11 of the base towardsthe top surface 2 in a direction substantially normal to the base line 11 and that the height 3 of said block 1 is relatively short as compared with the length of the base line 11. This arrangement of the grain 10 with respect to the base exposes on the bottom surface and on the surface 2 a maximum amount of end grain on which the solution may work thus decreasing the necessary time of submersion in the solution and obtaining a condition permitting the maximum of the solution being absorbed by the block. Referring to Fig. II it will be noted that the grain line 10, extends substantially parallel with the base It is therefore deposit will be less dense in the interior regions due to the greater distance required for the solution to travel in impregnating the block. For this reason I employ the structure of ,Fig. I for my blocks.

Having shaped a plurality of bases like Fig. I

as described above, I next preferably 'place' a plurality of the bases in the ringer band 4 of,

Figure III. This ring or band is of a material that will resist the chemical action of the solution into which it is to be immersed. For a solution that I have used as will be described hereunder, I find a ring of cellulose material such as celluloid to give good results. Rings of many diiferent materials can be used. Some forms of ropes and twines give very good results. The base sections are preferably arranged, as shown in Figure III, alternately, end grain and side grain. The grain is thus alternated to prevent the swelling of the pieces when immersed in the solution to an extent that they will burst'the banding ring or tank. The bases enclosed in the ring are placed in a tank, and if desired a second ring of bases may be placed on top of the first. They may be placed one overthe other in any desired number of layers to suit the tank utilized, or otherwise placed and arranged. The bases may be weighted or otherwise held down in the solution.

It will be noted that a space 6 is left between the ring or band and the side of the tank to provide space for expansion of thebases under action of the solution in which they are immersed. A flame coloring solution 7 is provided in the tank, as for example, an acid solution of copper chloride, CuClz, in Water in proportion of about two pounds of CllClz crystalsper gallon of water. This solution will impart a blue green color to the flame. The bases are immersed and left in this solution in the tank fora period of approximately two weeks. A good material for the base is wood, and undermy process preferably hard woods. Other absorbing materials however, may be used, such as 'LiCl, SI'Clz, BaClz, etc. The chloride form'of the salts is used because it gives the maximum color effect.

In use the impregnated bases are placed ina flaming fire and impart attractivecolor or colors holding base such as a porous refractory material may be used.

It will be apparent that a base having its grain disposed as in Figure I is easily separated into parts of desired size by cleaving in direction of the grain, whereas a base having its grain disposed as in Figure II is very difficult to separate into small shortpieces.

- From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided simple, economical and efiicient means for carrying out all the objects and advantages of my invention.

Having described my invention I claim: I 1., A flame colorant comprising a wood base having its long grain disposed substantially normal, to the length of the base and its height relatively short as compared with its length and impregnated with a chemical substance which when acted upon by a flre in the destruction of the baseby fire will give a distinctive color to the flame produced. I 1

2.'A' flame colorant comprising a wood base having its long grain disposed substantially normal to the length of the base and its height relatively short as compared with its length and impregnated with' copper chloride substantially as set forth. f

3. The process of making a flame colorant comprising making a plurality of wood bases, each having its long grain substantially normal to the length of the base and its height relatively short as compared with its length, banding a plurality'of said bases together intermediate their ends and immersing thebanded parts in a chemical solution which chemical when acted upon by fire will give a distinctive color to the flame, until the bases become impregnated with said chemical.

4. The process of making a flame colorant comprising making a plurality of wood bases, each having its long grain substantially normal to the length of the base and its height relatively short as compared with its length, banding a plural ity of said bases together intermediate their ends with alternate arrangement of end and side grain, and immersing'the banded parts in a chemical solution, which chemical when acted upon by fire will give a distinctive color to the flame, until the bases become impregnated withthe chemical.

5. The process of making a flame colorant comprising making a plurality of bases of wood, each having its long grain substantially normal to the length-of the base and its height relatively short as compared with its length, banding a plurality of said bases together intermediate their ends and immersing the banded parts in a tank containing a chemical solution, which chemical when acted upon by fire will give a distinctive color to the flame, until the said bases become impregnated with said chemical.

CLARENCE H. OHLWILER. 

